Improvement in flower-caskets



JOHN M. HESS.

Improvement in Flower Caskets. N0.124,207. l Patented March 5, 1872.

Cgdave JOHN M. IIESS, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN FLOWER-GASKETS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 124207, dated March 5, 1872.

SPECIFICATION.

I, J OI-IN M. HEss, of the city and county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improvements in Flower- Gaskets, of which the following is a specification:

Nature and Objects of the Invention.

. the plant.

The present improvements consist, first, in arranging' a tube for supplying water to the vessel, and a suitable gauge for indicating the rise and fall of the same; second, in arranging lin the interior of the case or holder two or more passages, the lower ends of which are open to the water in the outer vessel, and their sides perforated to allow moisture to pass through into the earth; third, arranging on one side of the case a passage for the exit or evaporation of' any surplus of moisture in the earth, fourth, constructing the inne-r case of such a form as to permit an open space to remain between the sides of it and the inside of the outer vessel for the circulation of air, also securing in the center of it a perforated hollow cone, the base of which is open to the water contained in the vessel 5 fifth, arranging in the bottom of the case or holder (when the hollow cone is dispensed with) a perforated arch, which extends the full length of the case, to adapt it for use in conservatories.

Description 0f the Accompanying Drawing.

Figure lis a transverse section ofthe casket, showing the arrangement of the supply-tube, gauge, and water-passages. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the casket. Fig. 3 is a transverse section ofthe casket, showinga different construction of the inner case or holder. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section ofv the device adapted for use in conservatories. Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a portion of the device, showing it applied to an ordinary garden vase or urn.

General Description.

The case or holder A, which Iis inserted in the vessel B' containing water, is provided on each end or sides with passages D and D the upper ends of which are closed, and their lower ends open to the water contained in the vessel B. The said passages also communicate with the interior of the case or holder by means of perforations p p p made in their sides, and they have also placed within them small sponges, to absorb the lwater from the bottom ofthe vessel, and allow the Inoisture to pass oft' through the pertorations/todampen the roots of the plant. The supply-tube C, which opens into the lower part/6I' the vessel B, is secured to the inside of the ease A, and is provided with a gauge, E, the float j' of which consists of any light material, and rests'on the surface of the water, indicatmgby-the rising or falling of the rod r, to which it is attached, the exact height of the water in the vessel. The case or holder A, Figs. l and 2, may also be provided with a passage, F, if occasions require, for the evaporation of any surplus water in the earth surrounding it. The said passage is made open at the upper and closed at the lower end, with a series of perforations In the side for the moisture to pass through. The

case or holder A may also be constructed, as shown in Fig. 3, with an intervening space, G, between it and the inside ofthe vessel B, with its sides thoroughly perforated, to permit a free circulation of air should the roots of the plant require it. A hollow perforated cone provided with a sponge is secured in the center of the case, the capillary attraction of which supplies the earth and roots of the plant with moisture. The device may be readily adapted for use in conservatories, as shown in Fig. 4, by making the outer vessel of a rectangular form to suit the hot-beds, and applying in the bottom of the inner case a long perforated arch, H, in which a sponge may be placed. The chamber I, Fig. 5, made of a cylindrical form and provided with a perforated tube, K, and a supply-tube, L, is inserted in any ordinary garden urn or vase. `The moisture from the water placed within it passes through the perg A'rmvr DFFICE. i

forated tnbe and through the center of the earth sufficiently to dampen the roots of the plant. The case or holder A may be lined with or made wholly of Wood, terra-cotta, or porcelain, and it may have placed in the bottom of it a layer of charcoal, pnlverized brick, or potters clay to form a rough bed for the liner points of the roots to take hold. The lower part of the vessel B is provided with a discharge-opening and screw-cap, N, to allow any surplus of Water in the Vessel to drain off in case it should become flooded accidentally.

I claim as my invention- 1. The combination and arrangement of the Witnesses ISAAC R. OAKFORD, FRANK SroU'r. 

